Several Region III churches have agreed to begin in January to develop a program of total ministry. Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre, St. Stephen's, Paynesville, and Our Saviour's, Little Falls, have covenanted with each other and with the Rev. Pat Gillespie to begin "Spirit of the Heartland." Each parish will retain it's individual identity, but will share in the development of ministry teams which will function in all participating churches. Other Region III parishes are also considering participating in Spirit of the Heartland. There is already a team of trainers and mentors committed to developing this ministry. In addition to The Rev. Pat Gillespie and canon missioner, the Rev. Canon Connie Claxton, Spirit of the Heartland has a supply priest, the Rev. Josie Martins, two EFM mentors, Linda Maloney and Johanna Morrigan, and two clergy helping with team training and formation, the Rev. Roger Claxton and the Rev. Priscilla Gray.
The Rev. Ernie Harrelson of Trinity, Litchfield, has been called as the new rector of St. Paul's, Winona. Blessings in your new call! We'll miss you. The Rev. Connie Claxton will be half-time interim at Trinity, Litchfield, beginning in January. Wonderful to have our canon missioner "back home" in Region III !
It's not too late to join folks at St. Stephen's, Paynesville, for a Book Study on Why Christianity Must Change or Die by the Rt. Rev. John Spong. Come to Paynesville on Wednesday mornings at 11 am, November 18, December 2 & 16 to add your voice to the debate about this highly controversial book. You may order the book for $22.00 (regularly $24.00) from the Rev. Pat Gillespie.
Retreat begins at 7:00 pm Friday evening, December 11, until 5:00 pm Saturday afternoon, December 12, at The Spirituality Center at St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph.
Everyone is welcome for this Advent retreat to prepare for Christ's birth in our lives through a shared journey toward reconciliation with some heart-breaking parts of Scripture. Community time and quiet time for prayerful reflection on what the Bible says about homosexuality as we journey toward the manger. Cost is $45.00 and includes private room and meals. Sponsored by The Living Waters and GLBT Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of MN.
For more information or to register, contact
The Rev. Pat Gillespie pat@MotherFlash.com
320-363-4406 http://www.MotherFlash.com/TheLivingWaters/default.html
The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, Sauk Centre, has hosted this holiday celebration for more than thirty years. An ecumenical choir from all over central Minnesota celebrates the birth of Christ with a wide variety of choral music accompanied by "The Dr. Grant Organ."
Saturday, December 12, at 7:00 & 8:30 pm, and Sunday, December 13 ,at 2:30 & 4:00 pm. There is, of course, no admission fee for this worship service, but tickets are required because seating is limited. Call the church office at 320-352-6882 to reserve your tickets.
Check out our region events at: http://www.MotherFlash.com/region
Visit your church and others on the internet:
Alexandria, Emmanuel http://www.MotherFlash.com/emmanuel
Litchfield, Trinity http://www.MotherFlash.com/trinity
Little Falls, Our Saviour's http://www.MotherFlash.com/oursaviours
Paynesville, St. Stephen's http://www.MotherFlash.com/ststephens
Royalton, Grace http://www.MotherFlash.com/grace
St. Cloud, St. John's http://www.MotherFlash.com/stjohns
Sauk Centre, Good Sam http://www.MotherFlash.com/goodsamaritan
Wadena, St. Helen's http://www.MotherFlash.com/sthelens
Willmar, St. Luke's http://www.MotherFlash.com/stlukes
The Living Waters http://www.MotherFlash.com/TheLivingWaters/
The Diocese of Minnesota http://www.episcopalmn.org
For churches with full websites, these pages are links to those sites. For others they include basic info & a photo. Send corrections, new addresses for parish websites, or comments to region@MotherFlash.com
You can receive this region newsletter by E-mail. Send request to news@MotherFlash.com
Sunday, November 29, representatives from region churches and others interested gather 2:00 pm at St. Luke's, Willmar. The meeting will be followed by Evening Prayer at 4:00 pm.